⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some shows leave you buzzing as you walk out of the theatre. Others take a little longer to get under your skin. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold was definitely the latter for me.
Based on John le Carré’s classic novel, it follows British intelligence officer Alec Leamas (played by Ralf Little), who agrees to one last dangerous mission in East Germany. As the lines between truth and lies become increasingly blurred, he’s forced to question who he can trust, all while developing an unexpected relationship with librarian Liz Gold (Gráinne Dromgoole).
It’s full of espionage, deception and Cold War politics. It’s also very dialogue-heavy, and there’s a lot to keep up with. I found myself concentrating so much on following the story that I wasn’t always completely immersed in it. This definitely isn’t a show where you can switch off for a minute.
The production itself is incredibly clever. The minimalist set allows the story to take centre stage, while the lighting subtly shifts to create tension and atmosphere throughout. I couldn’t help but see a spider’s web in the floor design – a fitting image for a story built around deception, manipulation and shifting loyalties.
The sound design was excellent too. Every line crystal clear, which is no small feat in such a dialogue-driven production, and it meant none of the important conversations were lost. The audience remained completely absorbed throughout, with only the occasional ripple of laughter at some of the sharper comedic exchanges.
The cast of just 12 delivered strong performances across the board, with each actor completely convincing in their role. Ralf Little gives a really strong performance as Alec Leamas. He captures the exhaustion and emotional detachment of someone who has been worn down by years in the intelligence world, which feels central to the role. Leamas often feels like a man simply trying to get through what’s in front of him, rather than someone in control of the situation, and that comes across throughout. I especially enjoyed an interrogation scene involving a pail of water, which was surprisingly powerful and one of the standout acting moments of the evening. I was sat in the stalls but wished I’d got a better birds’ eye view of this scene. His scenes with Gráinne Dromgoole were really effective too, and together they added a bit of emotional weight that balanced the political tension. I found myself really rooting for them, eager to hear Alec tell Gráinne that he loved her. Did I get my wish? You’ll have to watch to find out. Ha!
I started writing this review last night but decided I needed to sleep on it. Having slept on it, I think I’ve actually appreciated it even more.
This is an intelligent and cleverly crafted production that won’t be for everyone, but it’s exceptionally well executed. If you enjoy theatre that makes you think, it’s well worth seeing.
4 out of 5 stars from me.
You can see the show at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 4 July. Tickets from £15.60. Book your tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-spy-who-came-in-from-the-cold/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
Disclaimer: I was invited along to the press performance of the showing at The Alexandra Theatre.